Never stuck for the telling riposte, Gordon Strachan has a sobering counter to those who regard FC Copenhagen as the weakest team in Group F of the Champions League. 'There's every chance the Danes are saying the same thing about us,' said the Celtic manager.

Strachan has good cause to take a respectful view of the rivals the Scottish champions will face in their first home match of the series on Tuesday. Celtic's defeat by Manchester United in their opening game at Old Trafford and Copenhagen's scoreless draw with Benfica has already disadvantaged the Glasgow club.

In addition to which, the side managed by the former Norway midfielder Stale Solbakken contains enough widely-experienced internationals to dispel the general disbelief that greeted their 2-0 victory over Ajax in Amsterdam in the second qualifying round of the tournament.

These include Jesper Gronkjaer, whose former clubs include Chelsea, Birmingham, Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Stuttgart, and who has won more than 60 caps for Denmark; the Sweden and former Everton and Feyenoord midfielder Tobias Linderoth; his compatriot, Marcus Allback, the 60-cap, 24...#8209;goal striker formerly of Aston Villa and recently of the World Cup in Germany; Andre Bergolmo, the defender with more than 60 appearances for Norway, who has seen service with Rosenborg, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund; and the former Rangers goalkeeper, Jesper Christiansen.

As a collective, Copenhagen have much more experience of European football than Celtic, whose elimination at the qualifying stage by Artmedia Bratislava last season denied their younger players an opportunity to learn how to handle the relentless demands of the premier competition.

'Our players have been watching it, rather than experiencing it,' was Strachan's wry comment on the present Celtic team's relationship with the Champions League. 'In that respect, players like Neil Lennon and Bobo Balde, who have seen plenty of action and enjoyed some very rewarding nights, will be a big help in getting our younger and less experienced players through it.'

If it is true that to be forewarned is to be forearmed, Strachan at least should have little difficulty in planning a strategy for opponents whose style is predictable. Physically strong, Solbakken's team place a heavy emphasis on defence, trusting in the occasional break to yield a goal or two.

Sir Alex Ferguson offered both encouragement and caution to the Parkhead club when he discussed Copenhagen the day after his own team's victory over Celtic. 'They won't do much attacking, you can bank on that,' said the United manager. 'When they beat Ajax in Amsterdam in the qualifying, they were only upfield twice and got two goals. Otherwise, they spent the night standing up to constant pressure.

'Against Benfica, there were only two shots at goal - one from each side - in the first half, and none in the second. Celtic have skilful players like [Shunsuke] Nakamura and [Aiden] McGeady who can take opponents out with their ball control. And that massive crowd they have at these games is a big help to a team, there's no doubt about that. Copenhagen will make it hard, but if they exploit their advantages, Celtic will have a good chance of winning.'

Strachan is aware of the formidable physical obstacle presented by the Danes, but has no intention of trying to out-muscle them. 'We can't be spooked into picking our tallest and strongest team just because Copenhagen are big and strong,' he said. 'Your biggest and strongest players won't pass the ball as well.

'When I was playing for Scotland, Jock Stein said to me, "If you're not passing the ball, you're no good to us", and it's something I've believed in all my days as a manager. Our comfort comes from the fact that our smaller and more skilful players also work so hard for the team.

'They're not circus acts, they work back and make challenges and they're brave when they're being hit by big defenders, too. But I think we've been winning games because individuals are doing well. As a team, we've still a bit to go.

'But I do think it has helped that Copenhagen drew their first match while we were losing ours, because it prevented one of them from putting daylight between themselves and us. It also makes the projected target for qualifying for the knock-out phase seem a little more attainable.

'I mean, when Martin [O'Neill] was here, Celtic one year got nine points and failed to make it, while teams in other groups that same season made it with fewer. If you have draws scattered around, it means that getting something like nine points makes likelier that you'll get through.

'Where you'll get them from is another matter. I don't think for a minute there is a "worst" team in this group. I think there is one very good team, Manchester United, and the rest of us can be left to get on with it among ourselves. If it's going to pan out that way, it was good for us that the other two should draw their first game.'

Strachan's realistic appraisal extends to a warning not to compare his side to the team with which O'Neill enjoyed a number of famous victories over top-tier opponents.

'Martin had a right good side and we're still finding our way,' he said. 'If some people think this will be the easiest of our six matches, I can't do anything about that. I just know it will be hard.'